The Blood Crown - Chapter 294

After nightfall, A’Li went out and didn’t return until just before dawn, bringing back intelligence delivered by She Zhun.

Since She Zhun had found Yan Sikong, he would send information every ten days, leaving it under a peculiar rock on a nearby mountain. A’Li would always retrieve it under the cover of darkness. As a result, though Yan Sikong was hiding in a remote mountain village, he remained well-informed about the world’s affairs and the movements of various factions.

For over six months, he had done little besides recuperating and helping A’Li marry a wife. He rarely stepped outside. Villagers speculated that A’Li was hiding an even more disfigured and frightening brother at home, taking care of him. They often tried to coax details out of Yingmei, but Yingmei, having grown up without parents and now united with A’Li as one, was tight-lipped. Thus, no one in the village had ever seen Yan Sikong’s true face.

The fire in the Chu army’s camp not only destroyed Chen Mu’s imperial ambitions but also left Yan Sikong physically and emotionally scarred. Though his external wounds had healed, the emptiness in his heart was likely irreparable. He had endured countless sleepless nights, pondering questions that might never have answers, tasting the suffocating despair of pain and hopelessness. Yet, he had ultimately survived.

Having faced death, he had come to terms with many things. Questions without answers no longer tormented him, and he ceased to chastise himself for his past failures and shattered ideals. He let go of certain things, such as love, hate, life, and death, but he took up other things—the unfinished business he still needed to complete.

Among the intelligence She Zhun sent, one name repeatedly surfaced—a name once seared into his soul: Feng Ye. After all, Feng Ye was now the true power behind the throne in Da Sheng, an unavoidable figure.

He knew that under Feng Ye’s rule, the situation was growing increasingly chaotic. Without the constraints of imperial authority, the lords had begun carving out their territories, a trend Feng Ye was powerless to suppress. In time, this would undoubtedly lead to disaster.

The court, too, was in disarray. A child emperor who could barely walk, paired with a regent king of a different surname branded a traitor—this lack of legitimacy and moral authority made it impossible to command respect. Even though Feng Ye had employed many officials and generals recommended by Yan Sikong, he was still overwhelmed.

Yan Sikong also knew that Feng Ye and Yuan Nanyu had been searching for him.

He also knew that Princess Yunlong had borne Feng Ye twins.

He read about Feng Ye in She Zhun’s reports, but his heart remained as calm as a still well, as if Feng Ye were a distant stranger unrelated to him.

Yes, that was all in his past life. To him, Feng Ye was no longer even an old acquaintance. If he were to comment, he could only say that Feng Ye’s situation was precarious, beset by both internal and external crises.

Then there was Chen Mu. Though he had retreated to Taiyuan after his devastating defeat, his ambitions were undiminished. With his legitimate title as Crown Prince, he had the clout to rally others. Besides Prince Ning, he had drawn many lords and provincial governors to his side, his power now greater than before.

He also heard that Chen Mu’s concubine, Lady Qi, had suddenly died, and that she had been pregnant with his child at the time.

The most heartbreaking news for Yan Sikong was the death of Zhao Fuyi in the army. General Zhao, who had spent his life on the battlefield, was a man of integrity, loyalty, and bravery. His legacy would endure for generations. However, his death, filled with unresolved grief while the Jin invaders remained unvanquished, would leave him restless in the afterlife.

With Zhao Fuyi gone and the weather turning colder, the Jin forces across the river began to stir. They frequently launched raids to harass the people of Liaodong, committing acts of arson, murder, and looting. Zhao Fuyi had been Liaodong’s last line of defense. Now that the shield was gone, once the river froze, Zhuo Letai, who had been plotting for two decades, would surely cross with his forces. Liaodong would face devastation.

Yan Sikong knew where he needed to go and what he must do with this extra life that heaven had granted him.

Born and raised in Liaodong, after a lifetime of drifting, he would return to his homeland. He owned little and had no attachments; his only remaining possession was his life. If he could spend the rest of his days protecting Liaodong, it might somewhat atone for the countless sins he had committed.

After reading She Zhun’s report, he burned it as usual beneath the candlestick.

By his calculations, Liaodong was already very cold. The river would freeze within two months, and it was time for him to prepare for his journey. But if he were to leave, A’Li would surely follow, and Yingmei, heavily pregnant, could not endure the hardships of travel. He only hoped the couple could stay in the village and enjoy a peaceful life.

He considered leaving without a word and asking She Zhun to fetch him. In any case, he had to leave A’Li behind. Only by staying far from him, this harbinger of misfortune, could the couple live a happy, tranquil life.

—

Late autumn’s weather was unpredictable. Just days earlier, the sun had been glaringly bright, but it had suddenly turned cold. Yan Sikong had been diligently training, exercising his long-immobile limbs in preparation for the arduous journey ahead.

That day, Yingmei had gone to Liangshui County.

Although Zuo Village was self-sufficient, with men farming and women herding, villagers needed to buy daily necessities from the county. A round trip took three or four days, so they would stock up as much as possible on each visit.

Yingmei brought back a cartful of goods, many of which were for the baby she was carrying.

A’Li felt deeply guilty because his appearance prevented him from going to town. Anything involving interacting with others had to be handled by Yingmei.

Yingmei comforted him with a smile, “It’s fine. While I can still walk easily, I bought everything we might need. If there’s anything else later, we can ask the neighbors.” She carried a large stack of books into the house, saying, “Young Master, I’ve brought you more books.”

Yan Sikong smiled. “Such heavy things—you could have left them for A’Li to carry.”

A’Li quickly took the books and placed them on the table.

Yingmei gently touched her belly and said with a smile, “I want the baby to hear you reading often, Young Master. Maybe one day they can pass the imperial exams and earn a title.”

“They definitely will,” Yan Sikong replied warmly. “Did you hear any news in the city this time?”

Having been cooped up in the house for so long, he longed to hear about the outside world. Even trivial gossip would lift his spirits.

“Oh, Young Master, I actually heard a major piece of news this time. It’s the talk of Liangshui County!”

“Oh? What news?”

“You know Qushan Horse Ranch, right? It’s one of the biggest ranches in Bazhou.”

“I’ve heard of it.” Bazhou, in the southeast, was one of the best regions for raising horses. The area’s vast plains and rivers produced sturdy horses, though they were generally too small for battle. However, their short legs gave them stability and endurance, making them ideal pack animals. The court highly valued the horses from this region.

“The horses at the ranch seem to have caught some kind of epidemic. They say more than 300 have already died, and over a thousand are sick.”

Yan Sikong was stunned. “So many have died?”

Yingmei sighed. “It’s tragic. Each horse is worth so much. Losing and sickening so many—well, the ranch master must be devastated.”

“Have they identified the disease?”

Yingmei shook her head. “I don’t know. All I heard is that the ranch master is desperately seeking help. Losing so many horses could even bring blame from the court.”

Yan Sikong frowned.

He had raised horses since childhood and had a deep affection for them. He was also highly knowledgeable about horse breeding, selection, and medicine. He had even been taught by Feng Jianping to dissect dead horses for study. Though his research had been interrupted by the upheaval in Guangning, the experience he had accumulated was more than enough to treat many ailments.

Hearing about such a severe outbreak at a ranch, where hundreds of horses had died and thousands were sick, filled him with sorrow. Many equine illnesses were not incurable—there simply weren’t enough skilled veterinarians.

Yingmei blinked at him. “Young Master, what’s wrong?”

Yan Sikong took a deep breath. “This isn’t just the ranch master’s loss. Horses are vital national resources.”

“Exactly. With so many horses at Qushan, if they all get infected…” Yingmei shivered. “It’s a scary thought.”

After a moment’s thought, Yan Sikong said, “I want to go take a look.”

A’Li raised an eyebrow and gestured emphatically, shaking his head. Yingmei added, “Young Master, you can’t. You’re still recovering and shouldn’t leave the house.”

“I’ve already healed,” Yan Sikong said, rising to his feet. “I’ve only dabbled in medicine for humans, but when it comes to horses, there are few better than me. I have to see it for myself. If I can treat them, wouldn’t that be for the best?”

“Your external wounds may have healed, but the vitality lost from such a serious injury isn’t something that recovers overnight,” A’Li gestured worriedly.

Yingmei also spoke anxiously. “Exactly! And with your appearance, you’ll stand out wherever you go.”

“Don’t worry. She Zhun has taught me many disguising techniques. I won’t show my real face,” Yan Sikong replied calmly. He had two motives: first, he genuinely wanted to save the horses—whether he could or not, he needed to try. Second, he didn’t plan to return after this trip. The visit to the horse ranch provided a perfect excuse to leave. Though A’Li would surely accompany him to the ranch, once they left the village, Yan Sikong could easily find a horse in the city and make his departure.

Seeing they couldn’t dissuade him, A’Li and Yingmei reluctantly relented. A’Li gestured: I’ll escort you, Young Master.

Yan Sikong nodded. “Additionally, I need to write a letter to She Zhun. Please deliver it as soon as possible.”